Birth of an Alpaca
We were "on the ready" for our first cria birth weeks
ahead of time! We had purchased a birthing kit with all of the
special items one needs if things don't go as planned. We stacked
up some clean towels, and of course we prepared to grab the camera
on a moment's notice... (Click the next arrow to go through the
slideshow of alpaca birth photos and don't miss the rest of our
story below.)
Helen was on the second floor of our home which
overlooks our pastures when she looked out the window and thought
she noticed the familiar "sticks" (legs) protruding
from one end of our beautiful Angela.
Not convinced that she was really seeing what she
thought she was seeing, she ran downstairs and got the binoculars.
Sure enough! It was the time! She grabbed cria kit, towels and
camera and ran her legs off down to the pasture. If you don't
yet own alpacas, you probably can't quite work up the right emotions.
But if you do own alpacas, and if you do remember your first cria,
then you know all about this moment. The very normal birth took
about a half hour, and our first cria, which we named Jennie Wade,
was gorgeous. (Jennie's namesake was the only civilian killed
in the battle of Gettysburg.)
We were fortunate during our first year in business
to witness the births of two of our three crias. Words are inadequate
to describe the sense of joy and wonder one feels at the sight.
We can't wait until next spring when four more babies are due
at Alpacas of Gettysburg.
—Larry and Helen Hornbake
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